This is more a tip for following up.
I’m horrible with names so I always try to find some quiet time to look
through all the business cards I got that day and on the back of them I write
where I was when I met the person (evening event, tour, session, etc) and what
conversation topics we discussed. I also try to make notes on if a
promised to email them some information (as someone else noted it is important
to follow through).
It comes in handy months, to years, after
the conference when something comes up and you think, “Oh, I talked to
someone at the conference who knew about that. What was their name and
where were they from?“ Then all you have to do is flip through your
business cards and find it.
In addition, it can be very helpful if
someone else from your museum, or at least from your state, is going
particularly if they have been before and they can introduce you to a lot of
people. Along the same lines if there is anyone you have a strong
connection to virtually (say through this list), find out if they are going and
make plans ahead of time to meet them in person (or at least exchange phone
numbers so you can make arrangements to meet once you are at the conference).
Finally, at a lot of conference people
will have extra ribbons on their nametags denoting something about them
(presenter, board member, officer, first-time attendee, etc). Use those
as a jumping off point for your conversation. “I see you’re
presenting. . .what topic, when, where? What position are you on the board?
Do you enjoy being an officer? Oh, it’s your first time as well,
are you feeling as overwhelmed as I am?!”
Heather Marie Wells
Collections Assistant/Podcast Producer
Shiloh
Phone: (479) 750-8165
Website: http://www.springdalear.gov/shiloh/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShilohMuseum
Podcast blog: http://www.shilohcast.blogspot.com/
iTunes U: http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/shiloh.org
From: jerry symonds
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009
6:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] networking
Hi Bill,
Some additional ( I think!) tips to the very sensible ones
already offered to you:
Do's
1. Stick to your promises e.g. if you say you'll e-mail
someone you meet or will look them up next time you are in.....do it!
2. When you have a quiet moment after the conference (if it
is a day one) or in the evenings (if it runs over several days) make some notes
about who you met, what your learned from them, leads you might want to follow
and any commitments you gave (see 1 above).
3. Keep moving - the more people you meet, the wider
you will cast you net. Also if you 'monopolise' one person's time, then
that's discourteous to others who may also wish to speak to him/her.
4. Keep smiling! If you are naturally a nervous person, then
make a conscious effort to smile at others and return a smile when given: if
you avert you eyes or turn away then others may interpret this
as a sign you do not wish to be approached!
Don'ts
1. Don't be critical of your own organisation or colleagues
to strangers who you have only just met: you might think this makes you look
'savvy' but it's actually unprofessional and has a nasty habit of getting back
to those concerned!
2. Never divulge confidential information : err on the
side of caution as those asking the questions may be 'fishing'
for facts that they have already been denied through 'official channels'!
Good luck! The more you network, the better you should
become at it!
Jerry Symonds - Senior Internal Auditor
Historic Royal Palaces